Checkwriter and anti-theft alarm means therefor



March 15, 1960 JAGGER 2,928,336

CHECKWRITER AND ANTI-THEFT ALARM MEANS THEREFOR Filed March 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR.

Haeri @36 I March 15, 1960 H. JAGGER CHECKWRITER AND ANTI-THEFT ALARM MEANS Tf-IEREFOR Filed March 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m I. w

INVENTOR.

United States Patent CHECKWRITER AND ANTI-THEFT ALARM MEANS THEREFOR Hubert Jagger, Lincolnwood, Ill., assignor to Theodore B. Hirschberg, In, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 9, 1959, Serial No. 798,139 12 Claims. (Cl. 101-20) This invention relates to anti-theft means for use with checkwriters and other machines and is more particularly concerned with machines having signal alarm means ineffective in the norrnal and intended use of the machine but becoming effective for giving an alarm if the machine is removed by an unauthorized person from its place of use.

As is well known, machines of various types are extensively used inbusiness and commercial oflices, many of such machines, such as adding maehinesfiand machines for printing checks, the latter commonly termed checkwriters, being comparatively small and light and, therefore, of a character tobe. readily carried by a person. Such machines find a ready market with the result that many of them are'stolen by sneak thieves to be resold, often as second hand machines to innocent'persons and frequently to pawn shops and similar establishments.

My invention is directed to machines of the character mentioned provided'with signal means effective for giving an alarm, preferably an audible alarm, if the machine is removed by an unauthorized person from its intended place. of use such 'as a'table, desk or other support, or from a predeterminedposition in proximity to a wall or other means providing a stationarysurface. Under normal conditions, when the machine is conditioned for use it either is actually being used or persons who would use it are nearby softhat there is' little risk of its being stolen at such times In general, such machines are stolen from offices which are temporarily unoccupied and at times when useof the machines .is not required, such as during the lunch hour or in the evening, after employees have left the offices and the oflices have not been locked, though in some instances sneak thieves gain entry to lockedoffices and steal machines therefrom. More specifically, I provide a che'ckwriter or analogous machine with a self contained alarm signal system and with means for locking the machine againstloperation, the signal system being rendered ineffective when the machine is unlocked for use and beingiconditioned for operation when-the machine is locked, the system including trip means rendering the signal means ineffective so long as the machine,lin its locked'condition, is supported upon the top of a stand or other supporting surface, removal of the machine, while in its locked condition, from such supporting surface rendering the signal means effective. The alarm signal means is disposed-within the housing of the machine so as to be inaccessible from the exterior thereof except as to the trip member, and the latter is ineffective for disabling the signal means once it has been set in operation. :,In its broader aspects, my invention comprehends a machine and alarm signal means rendered inetfectivewhenathe machine. is supported for use, removal of the machine from the supporting means rendering thealarm signal means effective. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description. 3

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is aside view er. a, checkwriter provided with 2 v alarm signal means embodying my invention, thebase of the enclosing housing being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1, the moving parts of the machine located in the base being omitted for clearness of illustration;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation} Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an'enlarged scale, of the rearward portion of the machine taken in a plane adjacent and parallel with the inner face of the housing side plate, at the right hand side of the machine as viewed from in front, certain parts being broken away for clearness of illustration; I;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but taken in the plane of the inner face of the frame side plate, certain parts being broken away; i f

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 5, certain parts being shown in elevation; and v y j Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the control switch and associated parts. I Q

I have illustrated the alarm signal means of my invention as applied to a checkwriter, by way of example, it being understood that, in its broader aspects, the alarm signal means of my invention may be applied to other machines to which it is adaptable. The checkwrit ei' shown is similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 1,909,141, issued May 16, 1933, to Arthur H. Woodwardand William E. Richmond, assignors to International Register, Company, and a brief description thereof inrespect to the parts having to do with my instant inventiouwill The working parts of the machine are mountedin a frame including two side frame plates 10 and 11 secured in spaced parallel relation by suitably disposed cross rods, two of which are shown at 12 and 13, eachof'the plates 10 and 11 having a forwardly extending base portion 14 spaced from themain or body portion of the frame plate by a'rearwardly and downwardly converging opening providing a throat 15 for insertion ofacheck blank or other paper to be printed upon. The frame and the parts mounted thereon are enclosed by -'a housing lfi having a base 17 enclosing the lower portions and forward extensions 14 of the side frame plates 10 and 11 and the parts carried thereby, the bottom of base 17 being closed by a bottom plate 18. *i I Printing segments 20 are mounted for independehtadjustrnent on a shaft 21 extending between andsuitably mounted at its ends in the frame plates 10 and 11. The printing segments 20 are adjustedabou't shaft 21 for positioning thereon with desired printing characters aligned on aprinting line of the machine in position for cooperation with a platen 22 suitably mounted at the forward ends of an outer pair of platen operating arms 23 rockably mounted on a transverse shaft 24 extending between and mounted'in' the lower or base portions of the side frame plates 10 and 11. The checkwritler'; is also provided with a perforator plate (not shownj disposed for cooperation with'a perforator bar 25 mounted on the forward ends of aninner pair of arms 26; the latter being also mounted on shaft 24 adjacentthe'iiiner faces of arms 23. The perforator bar 25 may be used, in cooperation with the perforator plate, for perforating the payee area of a check'incident to printing thereof, Means is provided whereby the upward movement of-the forward ends'of-the arms 26, "during the printing operation, may be limited so as to render the perforating means ineffective. Such means includes a pull rod 27 projecting through the back-Wall of housing 16 and provided at its rearwardend with a head or button 28, rod 27 being attached at its forward end to transverse rod passing through the lower ends of a pair of links 30 with its end por tioris extending into ap propriately formed slots in the rearward ends of arms 26, The pull rod 27. is movable to a projected rearward position effective for nablingthe perforator. means, and to retracted forward position effective for disabling, the pierforator. means; as disclosed in detail in the above identified patent.- I I, n

The upper ends of links 30 receive a pintle pin 32 passing therethrough and through a toggle leaf 33 pivoted at its upper end onthe cross rod l2. The pintle pin also passesthmugh the upper ends of a pair of links 3d ,pivoted at their lower ends, at 35, to the rearward endslof the platen arms 23. The ends of the pintle pin 32pextend through arcuate slots 36 in. the frame side plates 10 and l l to be guided thereby. The links 34 are provided with. lengthwise slots 37 receiving the pintle pin .32. and providingfor lostmotionassuring that the perforator means, when enabled, will be operated somewhat in advance of the printing means, which is conduciyetoease of operation of. the machine. When the platen means is in its-non-printing position shown in Fig ure 4, the toggle lever comprising the leaf 33 andthe links 30 and 34 inconjunction with the pintle pin 32 is in its folded or retracted condition shown in Figure 4, in which it normally is held by suitable means, conveniently'by tension springs anchored to the upper ends of links 34 and tothe side plates 10 and 11 (not shown), .as shown and described in detail in the above identified P n -1. I

A link 38, at the outer faceof the frame side plate .10, is pivoted at its rearwardend of the pintle pin 32 from which it extends forward to a cam 39 to which it is pivoted at its forward end at 40. The cam 39 is fixed .to the inner endof a short sleeve or bushing 41 mounted for turning movement on a stud shaft 42 secured to frame plate lt). An operating lever. 43 is mounted on andl eyed to. bushingv 41,, the latter. being restrained against outward movement on studshaft 42, as disclosed .in the above identified patent, and lever 43 being restrainedagainst outward movement on bushing 41 by a eap nu t. t4 threaded onto the outer end thereof with an intervening spring washer 45. Lever 43 is provided at its outer end with a suitable handle 46. f The operating lever 43 normally is in its position indicated in broken lines in Figure 1 and is swung from thatposition downward and forward to its fullline position, for performing; a printing operation. During the firstportion of such forward movement of lever 43 the printing characters disposed on the printing line of ,the machine are inked by means of an inking. assembly (not shown) as disclosed in the above identified patent. Thereafterin the continued forward and downward moven ientpf lever.43 1ink-,.38,is movedrearward thereby. extendingthe toggle leverhmeans and moving theplaten .22 into pressurecontact with the check blank, as shown in Figure 1, while also moving the perforator bar 25 into cooperationwith the perforator plate, if the perforator means is then enabled. When the .lever 43 is at the end of its forward and downward stroke link 38 isin its upper position indicated in broken lines in Figure and .lpintle pirr32 is in its rearmost position indicated in .broken lines. The checkwriter so far described is substantially the same as that disclosed in the above identified patent and .need not. be. described here in greater detailexcept as to those features having to do particularly with my instant invention.

AA sleeve 48.is mountedfor turning movement on cross .rod 13 and is confined between frame side'plate and iasnap ring 49 engaging in a circumferential groove formed 111 rod13. A locking member 50 is secured on the outer end .of sleeve 48 and extends therefrom upward .abovethe rearmost positionof the'pintle pin 32-to which t 1s moved incident to the printing operation. The locking member '50'is provided. with a hook or bill portion 51 disposed to engage over and about the forward por- "rain of "'piiitl'e pins: when 'the latteris in a position a short distance in front of its :rearmost position, as shown in Figure 5. Locking member 50 is further provided, at the upper portion thereof, with a lengthwise slot 52 which receives a pin 53 secured in a finger 54 fixed to the inner end of the cylinder 55 of a cylinder lock 56 of known type. Casing 57 of lock 56 fits snugly through an opening in housing side plate 58 and is secured in position therein by a nut 59 threaded on casing 57 and seating against the inner face of plate 58, head 69 at the outer end of casing 57 seating on the outer face of plate 58. The inner endof casing 57 is provided with a notch 61 therein extending approximately 90 thereof, providing shoulders cooperating with a short stud 62 secured in finger 54 for limiting turning movement of cylinder 55. The locking member 50 normally is held in its raised ineffectiveposition, show-ninbroken lines in Figure 4, by. atensionspring 63 anchored at its'lower end to member 50and anchored lat'it supper end to a stud 63a secured to and projecting'inwardly from the side frame plate 11.. .The. inner end portion of the lock 56 and the finger .54 are disposed within a suitably formed opening 64 in the plate 10 with pin'53 extending through slot 52 and .disposed adjacentthe lower end thereof when looking member 59 is in its raised ineffective position.

A downwardly extendingarm 65. is fixed on the inner end of sleeve 48. Arm 65 isdisposed in the plane of the head of a plunger 66 of a reset switch 67 of known type made by Electro-Snap Switch and Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois. The switch is shown diagrammatically in Figure 7 and comprises a snap switch blade v68 held. at one end, by a compression. spring 69, seated on an underlying contact element 70, .and movable, at its othercnd, into and out of. contact with lower and upper contact. elements 69a and 69b, respectively. Plunger 66 includes ahead 71 slidable in the upper portion of the switch block -72andfa reduced stem 73 separate from head71 "and slidable in and projecting below the. switch bloekf72, the upper end portion of stem .73 beingof .increas'e'd diameter effective for preventing its cornplete withdr'awal from. block 72. The blade 68 is suitably'forined at its midportion to receive head 71 and so as to be moved downward thereby overcentre effective for, moving the free endof blade 68 upward, with a ..s"riap,action,, out of contact with element 69a and into .contact with. element 69b. Head-71 is then in depressed position, in which it is held byv a stirrup 74 extending fromfhea d 71 about the midportion of blade 68, which is thenbowed downward. Thebight portion of stirrup 74 is then in. pressure contact withtheupper end of .stem 73.. It will,,be seen that when the head 71 of ;plunger ,66 is.depressed the bladeg68is in open position relative to, contact element 691:, which ,is used, contact ,timeathefrce .end'of blade 68snaps downward out of contact .with contact'element 69b and into contact with contact element 69a, and at the same time head 71 of .plunger- 66 is raised. to position projectin above the switch block 72,- as sh-own in Figure 7.

,. Theswitch 67 is mounted upon a bracket 77 secured to frame side plate 10 .with theplunger 66-disposed in the plane of the arm 65. A-trip arm or lever 78 is .pivoted on-bracket 77, at 79, with one arm thereof underv.lyu'ig stem-73of plunger 66 and disposed in close proximity thereto. whenthe'plungr is in its depressed switch openingposition. Lever 78 is provided at its other end with an .upwardly extending .finger -80inserted into the lower end of a compression spring '8'l theupper end 'of which receives a stud 82 sec uredthr ough anear 33 ext i s' r bracket, "Aswan button 84 is Secured to the end of lever 78 remote from the switch plunger 66 and extends through an opening 85 in bottom plate 18 of base 17 of the machine housing. When the machine is resting upon a supporting surface 86, such as the top of a stand or desk, button 84 is pressed upward in opposition to compression spring 81 eifective for preventing upward pressure of lever 78 onthe stem 73 of switch plunger 66. I

When the machine is in use, the lock 56 is unlocked and the locking member 50 is then in its position shown in Figure 4, in which its clears the pintle pin 32 when the latter is moved to its rearward position incident to a printing operation. The machine is then enabled for use in the usual manner. When the machine is not to be used the operating lever 43 is swung forward and downward to its operating position shown in Figure 1 and the cylinder 55 of lock 56 is turned clockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, through approximately 90, by a key inserted into the lock, thus swinging the locking member 50 downward and forward to its position shown in Figure 5, 'at which time the operating lever 43 is released and the pintle pin 32 moves forward a short distance into engagement with the hook or bill of member 50, link 38 being then in its position indicated in dot and dash lines. The platen 22 is then in close proximity to the printing characters on the printing line of the machine, preferably in pressure free contact therewith, effective for preventing insertion of a check blank or other paper in the machine. In the movement of the locking member from its locking position of Figure 5 to its releasing position of Figure 4, arm 65 is swung forward to position with its lower end overlying and in proximity to plunger 66 of switch 67 effective for preventing upward movement thereof and thereby assuring that switch 67 remains open so long as the machine is unlocked for use. When the locking member 50 is moved from its releasing position of Figure 4 to its locking position of Figure 5, which should be done only when the machine is resting upon a supporting surface, arm 65 is swung rearward so as to clear plunger 66 of switch 67. At that time, however, the inner arm of trip lever 78 is held against upward movement by contact of the trip member or button 84 with the supporting surface and switch 67 remaining closed. If now the locked ma chine is raised or otherwise removed from the supporting surface the trip button 84 is released and the trip lever 78 may be swung in clockwise direction, as viewedin Figure 6, by the compression spring 81, effective for moving the switch plunger '66 to its upper position and thereby closing switch 67. 1 As will be understood from what has been said, the pintle pin 32 is a part of the operating means and is moved from one position to another during the printing operation. When pin 32 is locked against movement the operating means is disabled and release of pin 32 enables the operating means. In its broader aspects my invention comprehends operating means including a part movable incident to operation of the machine and effective for disabling the machine, when restrained against movement, and enabling it when freed for movement. While in the specific embodiment of my invention illustrated the pintle pin 32 is locked in its rearward position, preferred as preventing insertion of a check blank between the printing platen and the printing characters, it could, within the teaching of my invention, be locked in its forward position shown in Figure 4, the locking member 50 being appropriately formed and disposed to that end. It will also be understood that the trip button 84, or equivalent member does not necessarily have to extend through the bottom plate or wall of the base of the machine. It may, for example, extend through some other wall of the housing 16, the machine being suitably supported in predetermined position in proximity to a wall or other structure providing a stationary surface'with which the tripv button orequivalent member .is in yieldin; pressure contact. Removal of the machine from such predetermined position would release the trip member thereby closing switch 67, as above described, and rendering the alarm signal means operable. The variations above referred to are thought to be obvious and need not be illustrated nor described in further detail, and come within the general teaching of my invention as herein disclosed.

The contact elements 69a and 70 of switch 67 are connected byleads 87 and 88 and a lead 89 to an audible alarm signal, conveniently an electric bell 90, of known type, and to a suitable source of electrical energy, such as two dry cells 91 mounted in clips 92 secured to bottom plate 18 of base 17, to which the signal device or bell 90 is also suitably secured. Whileaudible signal means is preferred, any other suitable alarm signal device may be provided. Preferably, though not necessarily, I also provide a dummy trip member or button 93 (Figure 3) extending through an opening in plate 18 and secured to one end of a leaf spring 94 the other end of which is suitably secured to the upper face of plate 18.

As will be clear from the above, the alarm signal means of my invention is disposed entirely within the housing of the machine, with the exception of the portion of the trip member or button 84 projecting downwardly beyond plate 18, so as not to be accessible exteriorly thereof. Normally the means for locking the machine is in unlocked condition, effective closing of switch 67 being then positively prevented by the arm 65, and the machine may then be moved from one position to another, for use, without setting off the alarm. When the machine is locked, however, with the locking member 50 in its effective position shown in Figure 5, if it is removed fromits supporting surface trip lever 78 will close the switch and set off the alarm and thereafter any movement of trip lever 78, by means of the trip button 84,

will be ineffective for opening switch 67. Accordingly,

the alarm will continue to operate until the electric battery is exhausted or until an authorized person, having a key to lock 56 turns cylinder 55 thereof counterclockwise from its position shown in Figure Sto its position shown in Figure 4 effective for moving locking member 50 to releasing position and thereby also depressing plunger 66 and opening the switch 67.

As above indicated, the alarm signal and locking means of my invention may be applied to machines other than the particular checkwriter illustrated by way of example. It will also be understood that changes in detail may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims,

in this application in whichthe preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a machine adapted to rest upon a support and having cooperating members for performing an operation and operating means therefor, lock means for optionally enabling and disabling said operating means, and alarm signal means disabled and enabled by said lock means responsive to enablement and disablement respectively of said operating means, said alarm signal means comprising supplementary means effective for rendering said alarm signal means inoperable when said machine rests upon said support with said operating 7 means disabled and operable responsive to removal of said machine from said support with said operating means disabled.

2. In a checkwriter adapted to rest upon a supporting, surface and having printing means and operating means therefor comprising a part having one position and movable to another position incident to a printing operation, lock means for optionally locking said part against movement effective for disabling said operating means and for releasing said part thereby enabling said operating. means for printing, alarm signal means, means, actuated.

by said lock means for enabling and disabling said alarm.

signal means when said part is locked against movement and is released respectively, and supplementary means for disabling and enabling said alarm signal means when said checkwriter rests upon a supporting surface and is' re moved therefrom respectively with said part locked against movement. i i

i 3. In a checkwriter adapted to be supported in position in predetermined relation and proximity to a stationary surface and having printing means and operating means therefor comprising a part having one position and movable to another position incident to a printing operation, lock means for optionally locking said part against movement effective for disabling said operating means and for releasing said part thereby enabling said operating means for printing, alarm signal means, means actuated by said lock means for enabling and disabling said alarm signal means when said part is locked against movement and is released respectively, and supplementary means comprising a member disposed for pressure contact with and yieldingly urged toward said stationary surface when said checkwriter is supported in said predetermined relation thereto, said supplementary means being effective for disabling and enabling said alarm signal means when said checkwriter is in said predetermined position and is removed therefrom away from said stationary surface respectively with said part locked against movement.

4. In a checkwriter adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and having printing means and operating means therefor comprising a part having a first position and movable therefrom to a second position incident to a printing operation, lock means for optionally locking said part in said second position effective for disabling said operating means and releasing said part thereby enabling said operating means for printing, alarm signal means, means actuated by said locking means for enabling and disabling said alarm signal means when said part is locked in said second position and is released respectively, and supplementary means for disabling and enabling said alarm signal means when said checkwriter rests upon a supporting surface and is removed therefrom respectively with said part locked in its said second position.

5. In a checkwriter adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and having printing means and operating means therefor comprising a part having a first position and movable therefrom to and beyond a second position incident to a printing operation, said printing means comprising cooperating printing elements movable into pressure contact with a check therebetween by movement of said part beyond said second position and disposed substantially in pressure free contact when said part is in its said second position, lock means for optionally locking said part in said second position elfective for disabling said operating means and releasing said part thereby enabling said operating means for printing, alarm signal means, means actuated by said lock means effective for enabling and disabling said alarm signal means when said part is locked in said second position and is released respectively, and supplementary means for disabling and enabling said alarm signal means when said checkwriter rests upon a supporting surface and is removed therefrom respectively with said part locked in its said second position.

6. in a checkwriter having an enclosing housing including a closed base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, printing means and operating means therefore comprising a part within said housing having a first position and movable therefrom to a second position incident to a printing operation, lock controlled means within said housing for optionally locking said part in said second position effective for disabling said operating means and releasing said part thereby enabling said operating means for printing, alarm signal means within said housing, means within said housing actuated by said locking means for enabling and disabling said alarm signal means when said part is locked in said second position and is released respectively, and supplementary means comprising a member yieldingly urged to position projecting outwardly of said housing and disposed to be held in an ineffective inner position by a supporting surface upon which said checkwriter rests, removal of said checkwriter from said supporting surface releasing said member for movement to an effective outer position, said member being effective for disabling and enabling said alarm signal means when in its inner and outer positions respectively.

7. In a checkwriter having an enclosing housing including a closed base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, printing means and operating means therefor comprising a part within said housing having a first posi tion and movable therefrom to a second position incident to a printing operation, lock controlled means with-.

in said housing for optionally locking said part in said second position effective for disabling said operating means and releasing said part thereby enabling said op erating means for printing, alarm signal means within said housing, means within said housing actuated by said locking means for enabling and disabling said alarm sig: nal means when said part is locked in said second position and is released respectively, and supplementary means comprising a member yieldingly urged to position projecting outwardly of said housing and disposed to be held in an ineffective inner position by a supporting surface upon which said checkwriter rests, removal of said checkwriter from said supporting surface releasing said member for movement to an effective outer position, said member being effective for disabling said alarm signal means when in its inner position and enabling said alarm signal means when in its outer position, said member being ineffective for disabling said alarm signal means when moved from its outer position to its inner position with said part locked in its said second position.

8. In a checkwriter adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and having printing means and operating means therefor comprising toggle means normally unextended and extended incident to a printing operation, lock means for optionally locking said toggle means in extended condition and releasing it for return to normal unextended condition effective for disabling and enabling said operating means respectively, alarm signal means, means ,actuated by said lock means for enabling and disabling said alarm signal means when said toggle means is locked in extended condition and released respectively, said checkwriter comprising a housing enclosing said toggle and locking means and signal means and means for enabling and disabling said signal means, and supplementary means comprising a member yieldingly urged to, position projecting outwardly of said housing and disposed to be held in an ineffective inner position byv a supporting surface upon which said checkwriter rests, removal of said checkwriter from said supporting surface releasing said member for movement to an effective outer position, said member being effective for disabling said alarm signal means when in its inner position and enabling said alarm signal means when in its outer position, said member being ineffective for disabling said alarm signal means when moved from its outer position to its inner position with said toggle means disabled.

9. In a checkwriter adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and having printing means and operating means therefor comprising toggle means including a pintle pin norm-ally in a first position and movable to a second position incident to completion of a printing operation, said printing means comprising cooperating printing ele ments movable into pressure contact with a check therebetween by said toggle means and disposed substantially in pressure free contact when said pintle pin is in its said second position, lock means for optionally locking said pintle pin in its said second position and releasing it for movement to its said first position effective for 9 disabling and enabling said operating means respectively, alarm signal means, means actuated by said locking means for disabling and enabling said alarm signal means when said pintle pin is locked in its said second position and is released respectively, and supplementary means comprising a trip member yieldingly urged outward and disposed to be held in an inner position by a supporting surface upon which said checlcwriter rests, removal of said checkwriter from said supporting surface releasing said member for movement to an outer position, said member being effective for disabling and enabling said signal means when in its inner and outer positions respectively and ineffective for disabling said signal means when i moved from its outer position to its inner position with said pintle pin locked in its said second position, said checkwriter having an enclosing housing and said lock means including a key operated lock accessible exteriorly of said housing, said locking and signal means and associated parts being enclosed by said housing and inaccessible exteriorly thereof except as to the outwardly projecting portion of said trip member.

10. In a checkwriter having an enclosing housing inciuding a base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, printing means and operating means therefor comprising a toggle lever including a pintle pin having a first normal position and movable therefrom to a second position incident to and upon completion of a printing operation, a lock accessible exteriorly of said housing, locking means operable by said lock for optionally locking said pin in its said second position and releasing it for movement to its said first position effective for disabling and enabling said operating means respectively, electrical alarm signal means including a source of electrical energy and a normally open control switch, means actuated by said locking means effective for restrainingtsaid switch against closing when said pin is in its said first position and conditioning said switch for closing when said pin is locked in its said second position, a switch trip lever for closing said switch yieldingly urged in switch closing direction, and a trip member attached to said lever extending through the bottom of said base and movable-inward by contact with a supporting surface upon which said checkwriter rests to position effective for moving said lever to and holding it in an ineffective position, said trip member being movable outward upon removal of said checkwriter from said surface with corresponding movement of said lever to effective position closing said switch, said locking and alarm signal means being enclosed within said housing and inaccessible exteriorly thereof with the exception of said trip member.

11. In a checkwriter having an enclosing housing including a base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, printing means and operating means therefor comprising a toggle lever including a pintle pin having a first normal position and movable therefrom to a second position incident to and upon completion of a printing operation, a lock accessible exteriorly of said housing, a locking member movable by said lock to a locking position and a re-- leasing position effective for locking said pin in its said second position and releasing it for movement to its said first position thereby disabling and enabling said operating means respectively, electrical alarm signal means including a source of electrical energy and a control switch having a plunger normally held in' a depressed position effective for opening said switch and movable therefrom to an upper position effective for closing said switch, a switch control arm movable by said locking member to a position releasing said plunger for upward movement and a position restraining said plunger against upward movement in the movement of said locking member to its said locking and releasing positions respectively, a switch trip lever yieldingly urged toward said plunger for moving the latter to its said upper position, and a trip member attached to said lever extending through the bottom of said base and movable inward by contact with a supporting surface upon which said checkwriter rests to position effective for moving said lever to and holding it in an ineffective position, said trip member being movable outward upon removal of said checkwriter from said surface I with corresponding movement of said lever to effective position closing said switch, said locking and alarm signal means being enclosed within said housing and inaccessible exteriorly thereof with the exception of said trip member.

12. In a checkwriter having a frame and a cross rod and an enclosing housing including a base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, printing means and operating means therefor comprising a toggle lever including a pintle pin having a first normal position and movable therefrom to a second position incident to and upon completion of a printing operation, a lock accessible exteriorly of said housing, a locking member pivoted on said cross rod movable by said lock to a locking position and a releasing position effective for locking said pin in its said second position and releasing it for movement to its said first position thereby disabling and enabling said operating means respectively, electrical alarm signal means including a source of electrical energy and a control switch having a plunger normally held in a depressed position effective for opening said switch and movable therefrom to an upper position effective for closing said switch, a switch control arm fixed to said locking member movable therewith to a position releasing said plunger for upward movement and a position restraining said plunger against upward movement in the movement of said locking member to its said locking and releasing positions respectively, a switch trip lever yieldingly urged toward said plunger for moving the latter to its said upper position, and a trip member attached to said lever extending through the bottom of said base and movable inward by contact with a supporting surface upon which said checkwriter rests to position effective for moving said lever to and holding it in an ineffective position, said trip member being movable outward upon removal of said checkwriter from said surface with corresponding movement of said lever to effective position closing said switch, said locking and alarm signal means being enclosed within said housing and inaccessible exteriorly thereof with the exception of said trip member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 880,981 Lofaro Mar. 3, 1908 1,094,788 Hopkins Apr. 28, 1914 1,198,581 Ritchel Sept. 19, 1916 1,909,141 Woodward May 16, 1933 2,273,440 Gould Feb. 17, 1942 

